Author: Meena Kumar

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Fish pickle / Meen achar - Kerala style / Spicy pickled Cod

Fish pickle is a delicacy made with any type of fish,dried or fried.A treasure hostelites bring in bulk and savor as a lifeline until they get some home cooked food.

The fish matures in vinegar ,salt and spices binds it completely.When the acids kick in, the fish just shreds in your mouth with a burst of flavors ahhh! I can't explain in words.If u are drooling like me and want to just try a piece of fish pickle... I tell you it is such an easy recipe anyone who can fry fish can make it.

I have used Cod fillets .Oh! about the heat of the pickle, it comes from pepper, green chili,ginger and whole chili. Using kashmiri chili powder will give it the much needed color but I skipped it.

Ingredients

Fish-3 fillets (any fleshy fish,I have used cod here)

Ginger- 3-4 inch thick piece

Garlic- 8 to 10

Green chili-3

Chili powder- 1 tsp + 1 tsp

Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp + 1/4 tsp

Pepper powder-1/2 tsp

Fenugreek seeds powdered-1/2 tsp

Asafoetida- a pinch

Sesame oil / Gingely oil-2 tbsp (optional)

Vinegar -1/3 cup

Boiled water- 3/4 cup

Mustard,whole red chili -2 and curry leaves to season

Salt to taste

Method

1.Cut the cleaned fish into small pieces marinate it with chili powder,turmeric powder and salt.Keep it aside for a hour.

2.Coarsely grind ginger, garlic and green chili .

3. Heat veg oil in a pan and deep fry the fish pieces in batches to brown color .In the same oil add mustard when it crackles add red chili and curry leaves.Add the ground ginger,garlic &green chilli paste and saute till the raw smell goes.